tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51641035983310534652019-01-17T06:57:42.462-08:00Pineridge RunnerAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-52608000131021684172019-01-15T05:33:00.001-08:002019-01-17T06:57:42.404-08:00Running in ChinaOur life in China so far has been an adventure and quite a big adjustment from Colorado. Everything is very different and we have so much to learn. Running has been one way to find some community and work/life balance. Below are some photos of my running adventures in China so far.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H02gydlR3VE/XD3gwOclp_I/AAAAAAAAXq4/_BBqLzVz7c8AhZ9YPSjwS8RQKxKkUHjlACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180806_072233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H02gydlR3VE/XD3gwOclp_I/AAAAAAAAXq4/_BBqLzVz7c8AhZ9YPSjwS8RQKxKkUHjlACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20180806_072233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sd290Mdn5dA/XD3gwNAhzpI/AAAAAAAAXq4/VN_EHSbnd9s-JDwo8QXGuRoN67DL2XlMgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sd290Mdn5dA/XD3gwNAhzpI/AAAAAAAAXq4/VN_EHSbnd9s-JDwo8QXGuRoN67DL2XlMgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkGI67emCno/XD3gwFD7bKI/AAAAAAAAXq4/XElVEStgjuobvIkPaXXlX04sJEazD4aIgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkGI67emCno/XD3gwFD7bKI/AAAAAAAAXq4/XElVEStgjuobvIkPaXXlX04sJEazD4aIgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_1538.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIz0E_kKTCY/XD3gwCBbs9I/AAAAAAAAXq4/aRk5vZg0UxQWsW76-82I7QshXorNxuj0wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIz0E_kKTCY/XD3gwCBbs9I/AAAAAAAAXq4/aRk5vZg0UxQWsW76-82I7QshXorNxuj0wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrA0adiOyJE/XD3gwM6ue4I/AAAAAAAAXq4/dWNYCSRfEa0TLRTUBmNA8z5Csuo9uqOFQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrA0adiOyJE/XD3gwM6ue4I/AAAAAAAAXq4/dWNYCSRfEa0TLRTUBmNA8z5Csuo9uqOFQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_1983.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0IJ1jC6DBs/XD3gwMWf0DI/AAAAAAAAXq4/MrG3E8nNCRMCPAdKp0DdMq99Nfi_nOL1wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0IJ1jC6DBs/XD3gwMWf0DI/AAAAAAAAXq4/MrG3E8nNCRMCPAdKp0DdMq99Nfi_nOL1wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QLCN3lkeToY/XD3gwLfM8nI/AAAAAAAAXq4/mb-fCzh6sf8ianqDdXw9CRKFJaNwh565gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QLCN3lkeToY/XD3gwLfM8nI/AAAAAAAAXq4/mb-fCzh6sf8ianqDdXw9CRKFJaNwh565gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNJB_FIxO20/XD3gwGbAuxI/AAAAAAAAXq4/UQkSNnkb9pQKAmnwkdsxeLw2a-hNxNLWgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNJB_FIxO20/XD3gwGbAuxI/AAAAAAAAXq4/UQkSNnkb9pQKAmnwkdsxeLw2a-hNxNLWgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2254.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOjjRLbkTUU/XD3gwDeoY7I/AAAAAAAAXq4/JWPO-4fo98Qj6eC6NlQxt0OJzqszT0d3wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOjjRLbkTUU/XD3gwDeoY7I/AAAAAAAAXq4/JWPO-4fo98Qj6eC6NlQxt0OJzqszT0d3wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZYVkQe-HIU/XD3gwMzaZoI/AAAAAAAAXq4/bbAJwU61FnYdywwVWq6yjPJcQbfb52k9gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZYVkQe-HIU/XD3gwMzaZoI/AAAAAAAAXq4/bbAJwU61FnYdywwVWq6yjPJcQbfb52k9gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-18913233853089845962018-03-30T09:32:00.001-07:002018-03-30T16:19:36.956-07:00Spring Equinox Half MarathonSpring has arrived on the Front Range and what better way to mark the occasion than running the <a href="http://equinoxhalfmarathon.com/">Equinox Half Marathon</a> on the quiet country roads north of Fort Collins with beautiful views of the still snow covered Rockies.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jx2udMNnKTo/Wr5hdW6GHOI/AAAAAAAANp4/Xd3LZ0oncDgqP7k6WjI7VvyiDSH0wWk1gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8714-%2528ZF-9463-71136-1-005%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jx2udMNnKTo/Wr5hdW6GHOI/AAAAAAAANp4/Xd3LZ0oncDgqP7k6WjI7VvyiDSH0wWk1gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8714-%2528ZF-9463-71136-1-005%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been a while since I ran hard for that long and I was a bit slower than I would have liked <a href="http://equinoxhalfmarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018HalfAwards.pdf">(1:37:19)</a>, but I am happy with my effort and it was a good race to gauge my current fitness. The race was very well organized with aid stations every two miles and I was glad to see my friends from the Rocky Cross Country Team handing out water and NUUN at miles 4 and 8. The race starts and finishes at&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;">The Biergarten @ Anheuser-Busch Brewery </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">where there was a great post race party with burritos, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ginger-Whale-215176491948249/">music</a> and beer. This was my first race as a <a href="http://greeneventscolorado.com/">Green Events</a> Ambassador, a role that I am honored to play. Green Events puts on a dozen fun and environmentally friendly running events in Larimer County each year and I am proud to have participated in all of them as a runner or volunteer. Green Events supports youth running programs including High School Cross Country. I am glad to represent Green Events and their commitment to Sustainable Fun in Northern Colorado.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNdBzudo8ag/Wr5l059DxCI/AAAAAAAANqI/ZDULkYsrJNo9GOz8OEHlRnTkVj6rzrEWACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_9217-%2528ZF-9463-71136-1-006%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="641" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNdBzudo8ag/Wr5l059DxCI/AAAAAAAANqI/ZDULkYsrJNo9GOz8OEHlRnTkVj6rzrEWACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_9217-%2528ZF-9463-71136-1-006%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-6121549235945009802018-01-05T13:07:00.003-08:002018-01-05T13:07:59.366-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGbqyOlg9Vo/Wk_ok4n1mQI/AAAAAAAAMJc/42CuISrzebUaWWrH1_aKaaOefSj6EA6YQCLcBGAs/s1600/SS17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1084" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGbqyOlg9Vo/Wk_ok4n1mQI/AAAAAAAAMJc/42CuISrzebUaWWrH1_aKaaOefSj6EA6YQCLcBGAs/s400/SS17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />2017 was full of adventures and great times out running with my family and friends. I'm sure that 2018 has many new challenges, surprises and awesome times ahead.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-33955615097978783362016-02-29T11:46:00.001-08:002016-02-29T11:46:41.150-08:00Mile after Mile- A great new podcast and my Western States story<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mileaftermilepodcast.com/"><img alt="Artwork means it's for real, right?" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.amysaysso.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/MileafterMile.jpg?resize=300%2C300" /></a></div><br />If you're looking for a great podcast to listen to while you're working out or in the car, you should check out <a href="http://www.mileaftermilepodcast.com/" target="_blank">Mile After Mile</a>. The host, <a href="http://www.amysaysso.com/" target="_blank">Amy Stone</a>, is a triathlete and coach in Miami, Florida who is interested in sharing inspiring stories of endurance athletes. I had the privilege of talking to Amy a couple weeks ago about my experience training for and running the Western States 100. We talked about my entry in to ultra running, the challenges of ultra running and type 1 diabetes and my exciting (even if it was 90 second late) finish at the 2013 Western States 100. Check it out here:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mileaftermilepodcast.com/?p=69">http://www.mileaftermilepodcast.com/?p=69</a></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-33059670837064408232015-03-22T11:50:00.001-07:002015-03-22T11:50:32.530-07:00Kayaking on the Reservoir on the First Day of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrSWtcvahUIlQZLyHjMSlF4EwI0qHiUkf53W0CGJa6S2qAsFOFZ3_r-X_ZFMQGgRQtpfQil5LGXH0AXg7dxA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-10697134096191750442015-03-22T11:38:00.002-07:002015-03-22T11:41:07.027-07:00March Madness 2015 Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-yRUjncieg/VQ8Kf6Q-gwI/AAAAAAAAECY/lIZCzRD6Y3A/s1600/10801847_10152650625977377_6112146347207136631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-yRUjncieg/VQ8Kf6Q-gwI/AAAAAAAAECY/lIZCzRD6Y3A/s1600/10801847_10152650625977377_6112146347207136631_n.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Marie</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">It was a beautiful day in Fort Collins for the 5th annual March Mileage Madness Run. A good crew came out from FoCo, Denver, Boulder and Golden to run anywhere from 6-37 miles on the trails around Horsetooth Reservoir. We finished back at the house and more joined for a BBQ in the backyard. Thanks to all for coming out. Spring running season has come to the front range.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JIdKeMQAj4/VQ8I-6q6THI/AAAAAAAAEB8/zgF7Zdxa2Cc/s1600/P1050494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JIdKeMQAj4/VQ8I-6q6THI/AAAAAAAAEB8/zgF7Zdxa2Cc/s1600/P1050494.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:00 am start</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVrYDNZbRLo/VQ8I_KBsL0I/AAAAAAAAECA/IgZWZv-Lugk/s1600/P1050495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVrYDNZbRLo/VQ8I_KBsL0I/AAAAAAAAECA/IgZWZv-Lugk/s1600/P1050495.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Mp2xBmMQzo/VQ8JB9QcBpI/AAAAAAAAECM/cw-9aLSOqlI/s1600/P1050497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Mp2xBmMQzo/VQ8JB9QcBpI/AAAAAAAAECM/cw-9aLSOqlI/s1600/P1050497.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 8:00 am Start</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8mIst4NAak/VQ8Kf38ealI/AAAAAAAAECc/QQmHyHTi9Ec/s1600/11064679_10152650622017377_9190607642652180587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8mIst4NAak/VQ8Kf38ealI/AAAAAAAAECc/QQmHyHTi9Ec/s1600/11064679_10152650622017377_9190607642652180587_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pete on the Foothills Trail photo by Marie</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9NQoMadQRA/VQ8Ia9DcI6I/AAAAAAAAEB0/6_xofh5Szak/s1600/MMM%2B15%2Bresults.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9NQoMadQRA/VQ8Ia9DcI6I/AAAAAAAAEB0/6_xofh5Szak/s1600/MMM%2B15%2Bresults.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the official results</td></tr></tbody></table>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-14580223184640838112015-03-09T16:24:00.001-07:002015-03-11T09:44:42.248-07:00March Mileage Madness 2015The 5th edition of the big kick-off run of spring is coming on March 21. &nbsp;The plan will be as in years past to meet at my house on Saturday morning and take off on a run around the reservoir and regroup back at the house for BBQ, potluck, trampoline and stories of other big runs planned for the spring and summer. <br /><br />There are three designated route options:<br /><br />&gt;the Classic 23 mile Reservoir Circumnav. route- <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-mileage-madness.html" target="_blank">map</a> and <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-23-mile-course.html" target="_blank">description</a><br />&gt;Pete's Route- 36 miles with lots of climbing <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">map and description</a><br />&gt;9 mile Reservoir overlook route- <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">map and description</a> (scroll past Pete's route)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tB0lcbqvVk0/VQBvsPaZcFI/AAAAAAAAEBc/kXl39nkZEi8/s1600/P3180019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tB0lcbqvVk0/VQBvsPaZcFI/AAAAAAAAEBc/kXl39nkZEi8/s1600/P3180019.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>You can also make up your own variations on any of these routes, &nbsp;Just plan to start with a group at my house at 7:00 or 8:00 am (I'm doing away with the 9:00 start after an absence of starters at that time last year) and be back by noon or so enjoy the BBQ and share stories of your time on the trail.<br /><br />&nbsp;There are a couple places to fill water at trail heads and park entrances, but there will be no aid stations, so carry what you'll need.<br /><br />Bring whatever you like for the post run festivities- food, drinks, something to BBQ. &nbsp;. &nbsp;. We'll fire up the BBQ around 1:00 and hang out and eat and drink and enjoy the afternoon until about 4:00.<br /><br />Send me an&nbsp;<a href="mailto:halexmay@aol.com" target="_blank">email</a>&nbsp;if you have questions or leave a comment below. &nbsp;Feel free to leave a comment with your start time and planned distance too.<br /><br /><a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/search/label/March%20Madness" target="_blank">Lots of other pictures, results and info from previous year's events here</a>.<br /><br /><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-67724545740840058872014-11-06T09:35:00.002-08:002014-11-20T12:58:29.905-08:00Get Swoll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAJ36Gx7J4w/VG5VxhSQyZI/AAAAAAAAD58/hOGqrD-Ep-4/s1600/swoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAJ36Gx7J4w/VG5VxhSQyZI/AAAAAAAAD58/hOGqrD-Ep-4/s1600/swoll.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/sarcopenia-with-aging" target="_blank">Sarcopenia</a> is the loss of muscle mass with aging. &nbsp;This process begins in your 30's and speeds up as we enter our 40's and is particularly fast (3-5% per decade) for inactive adults. &nbsp;I hit the 40 mark this past summer (and celebrated with a 1745 mile <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/search/label/Bicycling%20the%20Pacific%20Coast" target="_blank">bike ride down the coast</a>). &nbsp;After we returned to Colorado from our amazing 6 weeks of biking and enjoying the beach, I got busy with the new school year, coaching cross country, projects at the house and . . . a wedding . . . which was amazing:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rQg6X3GlfQ/VFurCiNnTmI/AAAAAAAAD5E/GEVQFFe2elk/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rQg6X3GlfQ/VFurCiNnTmI/AAAAAAAAD5E/GEVQFFe2elk/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" height="218" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R02DOwvx_Ww/VFurDMehFCI/AAAAAAAAD5I/lCeSSQGLYTk/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R02DOwvx_Ww/VFurDMehFCI/AAAAAAAAD5I/lCeSSQGLYTk/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" height="218" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IyqvSXnzHGs/VFurDEVk5cI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/DltBHwOTxxA/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IyqvSXnzHGs/VFurDEVk5cI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/DltBHwOTxxA/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So life has been wonderful and pretty full (which is my excuse for the absence of regular blog posts). Running, training and fitness have been further down on my list of priorities. &nbsp;Then back a couple months ago Micah, my 17 year old son who is quickly approaching adulthood, asked me if we could hit the gym together for a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Swoll" target="_blank">workout</a>. &nbsp;Glad for the opportunity for some quality father/son time and eager to combat my own muscle atrophy I quickly agreed. &nbsp;Micah and I have been meeting at <a href="http://www.raintreeathleticclub.com/" target="_blank">Raintree</a>&nbsp;Monday and Wednesdays for 8 weeks now to do some cardio and go through some sets of upper and lower body exercises on the machines and free weights. &nbsp;It has been a lot of fun and after some pretty acute soreness the first couple weeks, we are both noticing some increases in strength and overall fitness. &nbsp;Last week we added a Tai Chi class to our routine and that's been a whole new learning experience- more on that in a future post. &nbsp;I'm not quite at the strength level that I had when I was personal trainer and spent 10+ hours a day at the gym and was 15 years younger, but I think that I could get back there and I'm hopeful that the added strength will provide a needed boost to my running. &nbsp;And I have been running more lately too. &nbsp;Nora and I signed up for the Red Hot Moab race in February and we have committed to getting out everyday through the winter to prepare. &nbsp;It was a rough start, but over the past couple weeks, I feel my running legs coming back to me. &nbsp;I may be in my 40s now, but I am pretty confident that some of my best running and racing performances are still ahead of me.</div><br /><div><br /></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-7186137692818024162014-07-10T06:49:00.001-07:002014-08-09T10:08:08.862-07:00The Bunny Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZB5QqSoTtpI/U76ZWv419qI/AAAAAAAAD20/N0sr2B3pkno/s640/blogger-image--750012793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZB5QqSoTtpI/U76ZWv419qI/AAAAAAAAD20/N0sr2B3pkno/s400/blogger-image--750012793.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 6 - We rode on from our lunch stop in Cannon Beach another 20 miles and stopped for groceries in Manzanita. We set up camp in Nehalem State Park at our first hiker/biker site of the trip. We met Jason and Roman, brothers ~30 years old and 13 years old who are cycling down the coast together on a tandem from Astoria to Crescent City. We shared a picnic table with Rod who had ridden with friend to the Oregon coast from&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Virginia and would be finishing his 72 day 4500 mile journey the next day in Astoria.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We walked down to the beach to see the sunset and were amazed by the wide expanse of perfect sandy beach (a 7 mile stretch, we were told). &nbsp;Back at camp, we made a good dinner of cheesy rice which we enjoyed with some fresh veggies we had picked up at the market and a loaf of bread from the Cannon Beach bakery. We all slept well that night.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the morning of Day 7, Mari and I woke early for a run on the beach before a breakfast of coffee and oatmeal and then back on the bikes to return to 101 and continue south. We rode in to the Tillamook Cheese Factory for lunch and ice cream and cheese samples and made contact with my friends Ed and Victoria to discuss plans to meet up for dinner.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CG-2ASub3B0/U773EHxi1II/AAAAAAAAD3k/in7b-5JRhjs/s640/blogger-image-1387863192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CG-2ASub3B0/U773EHxi1II/AAAAAAAAD3k/in7b-5JRhjs/s640/blogger-image-1387863192.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They were driving home to Hillsboro (just west of Portland) from Crescent City, CA and were taking the coastal route to see us. We decided to adjust our camping plans from Cape Lookout State Park to Webb County Park in Pacific City, which turned out to be across the street from Pelican Pub and Brewery, recommended as a good place to stop by Steph from her Portland to San Francisco ride a few years ago. It was a good choice. The last 15 miles of the ride included a giant climb&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">into a socked-in point above Cape Lookout. The sun came out as we dropped down the other side to Sand Lake road and into Pacific City. &nbsp;55 miles for the day and 2000+ feet of vertical. &nbsp;The county park had 10 tent sites and a hot shower and was right next to a Laundromat where we washed our stinky bike clothes for the first time on the trip. The camp hosts explained that 10 years ago someone had dropped off some bunnies at the camp and they have been doing what bunnies do ever since, so the campground was hopping with rabbits of all sizes. The little girls camped next to us brought carrots and told us that they come to camp at the "bunny beach" several times a year and it is their favorite.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Kv5JUYo-YM/U773ALxAN7I/AAAAAAAAD3U/Z_QFXkGvUGs/s640/blogger-image--278610043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Kv5JUYo-YM/U773ALxAN7I/AAAAAAAAD3U/Z_QFXkGvUGs/s400/blogger-image--278610043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nora's sister Jill drove out from Portland to camp with us and bike and camp with us the next day. Ed and Victoria and their beautiful 14 month old twins Sylvia and Skye met us at the brewery for dinner and it was great to talk and laugh and catch up.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--eD108x_GXk/U77261qpyWI/AAAAAAAAD3E/x6BzKfeEqWg/s640/blogger-image-846697348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--eD108x_GXk/U77261qpyWI/AAAAAAAAD3E/x6BzKfeEqWg/s400/blogger-image-846697348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ovFVUFVqBQg/U7728_v3LSI/AAAAAAAAD3M/oenUJKyWZLw/s640/blogger-image--1811741758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ovFVUFVqBQg/U7728_v3LSI/AAAAAAAAD3M/oenUJKyWZLw/s400/blogger-image--1811741758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Day 8 began with a beautiful bunny-filled morning with fresh blueberries and Voodoo doughnuts that Jill had brought from Portland. Our extra miles the day before meant a shorter day, which was good because it was our windiest day yet with a couple more good climbs along the scenic Three Capes portion of the bike route. We had a very windy, sandy lunch on the beach in Lincoln City and then continued on with one more climb over Cape Foulweather. The book warned of a big climb and 60+ mph winds but as we braced ourselves for it at wayside lookout, a nice woman pointed out spouting gray whales and told us about a protected one lane road that bypassed the climb with spectacular views of the coast. We took this route and were very thankful for the tip. Our campsite at Beverly&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Beach State Park was just a few miles further along and it was protected from the wind by beautiful tall pines and tucked away next to a quiet creek. 42 miles for the day. We took a walk down to the beach and then roasted hot dogs and vegan pups on the campfire. It was fun to share our adventure for a day with Jill who decided to ride back to her car in Pacific City instead of taking the bus as she had originally planned.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qeVGrKSfRu8/U773COTdnsI/AAAAAAAAD3c/OoODe8AS2vU/s640/blogger-image-108535892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qeVGrKSfRu8/U773COTdnsI/AAAAAAAAD3c/OoODe8AS2vU/s400/blogger-image-108535892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Day 9- We rode out from Beverly Beach, said our farewells to Jill and turned south while Jill headed north. We turned off of 101 and traveled parallel to the highway through the pleasant seaside town of Newport. After Newport we had nearly 30 miles of windy coast before we stopped for lunch in the small fishing town of Yachats. We were all feeling really hungry and enjoyed a hearty meal of fresh salmon and slumgullion (clam chowder with shrimp and cheese!). After lunch we rode up to the entrance of the seal caves for a rest stop. We decided not to pay $14 each to ride the elevator down into the caves, but we tasted the fudge and enjoyed a little protection from the wind. Next we had a long ride down into Florence where we picked up groceries, wine and stove fuel for the next couple days at a well-stocked Fred Meyer. Back on the highway for the final 6 miles to the campground, we were waved over by a friend of Mari's who was on a road trip with his family and had been following our travels on FB. We had a fun roadside visit with Hakim; then continued on to Jessie M. Honeyman State Park. This is another one of Oregon's beautiful state parks with a really nice Hiker/Biker site and friendly rangers and hosts. The campground is in the woods on the edge of a vast expanse of sand dunes that stretch 47 miles along the coast from Florence to Coos Bay. &nbsp;We paid for two nights at the Hiker/Biker site ($30) and set up camp with the relaxed knowledge that the next morning we had nowhere to go and nothing to do except relax and enjoy the park. 62 miles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 10- rest.&nbsp;</div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-74806337117340910572014-07-06T13:50:00.001-07:002014-08-09T10:08:58.521-07:00Cookies at Cannon Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6dAOAfzVQHI/U7m4Jz5tCtI/AAAAAAAAD18/cQFCiOJfzaE/s640/blogger-image--292760195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6dAOAfzVQHI/U7m4Jz5tCtI/AAAAAAAAD18/cQFCiOJfzaE/s400/blogger-image--292760195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a nice night on day 2 camping on the Hood Canal at Potlatch State Beach after 70+ miles of cycling.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1rhJlna0hBQ/U7m4HWLAq1I/AAAAAAAAD1s/OaJpWwWirH0/s640/blogger-image-704138941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1rhJlna0hBQ/U7m4HWLAq1I/AAAAAAAAD1s/OaJpWwWirH0/s400/blogger-image-704138941.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Day 3 was a long tough stretch of cycling through mountains, forests and the towns of McCleary, Elma and (very congested) Aberdeen. At the end of the day, we had pedaled 80 miles of back roads, hilly passes and freeway. We arrived at our camping spot at Twin Harbors State Beach after 6:00 pm tired and sore. We showered and slept well and set out on the 4th with a shorter ride to Bush Pioneer County Park.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b8oAwCgYDbQ/U7m2jOIrdXI/AAAAAAAAD1I/KYay11tZF2U/s640/blogger-image-1338604080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b8oAwCgYDbQ/U7m2jOIrdXI/AAAAAAAAD1I/KYay11tZF2U/s400/blogger-image-1338604080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a very nice ride without too much traffic and some nice views of the coast. We had lunch in Raymond with fresh Rainier cherries from a road side stand.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vOoQazZlBck/U7m4F_4p02I/AAAAAAAAD1k/TySPuxwe3PE/s640/blogger-image-953938303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vOoQazZlBck/U7m4F_4p02I/AAAAAAAAD1k/TySPuxwe3PE/s400/blogger-image-953938303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We celebrated the 4th of July in the small-town feel of Bay Center, which appears to revolve around oyster farming. Splurged on picnic food - roasted hot dogs &amp; veggie burgers over the fire and then enjoyed several informal fireworks displays all around us. It's interesting to spend the 4th in an area of reservations where firework stands were abundant. We lit some sparklers and teeny tiny fireworks at the beach. We somehow fell asleep amongst the thunderous booms late into the night.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5SfV5QvZLUE/U7m4QzyRufI/AAAAAAAAD2k/atqGr8fVPHY/s640/blogger-image-904256016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5SfV5QvZLUE/U7m4QzyRufI/AAAAAAAAD2k/atqGr8fVPHY/s400/blogger-image-904256016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7QyUPjXBxZI/U7m4LeeLFAI/AAAAAAAAD2E/Inmwe3uMpXM/s640/blogger-image-851383324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7QyUPjXBxZI/U7m4LeeLFAI/AAAAAAAAD2E/Inmwe3uMpXM/s400/blogger-image-851383324.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday, we rode across the harrowing 4-mile Astoria Bridge over the Columbia River and into Oregon!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O9MKUYd-tY4/U7m4PQl4y7I/AAAAAAAAD2c/SIf-kIEk6Oc/s640/blogger-image--324794766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O9MKUYd-tY4/U7m4PQl4y7I/AAAAAAAAD2c/SIf-kIEk6Oc/s400/blogger-image--324794766.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Celebrated the state crossing with a delicious spread and beers at Fort George Brewery in the seaside town of Astoria.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dh_cELuM7tU/U7m4Io7_zSI/AAAAAAAAD10/k7deCDhoPHA/s640/blogger-image--1449657135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dh_cELuM7tU/U7m4Io7_zSI/AAAAAAAAD10/k7deCDhoPHA/s400/blogger-image--1449657135.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After lunch, a short ride took us to our camp spot at Fort Stevens State Park, a sprawling and very crowded site for holiday campers. We squeezed our 3 tiny tents between RVs and full set-ups (our neighbors had a mini fridge &amp; TV)! A brief walk along the bike paths helped to stretch the legs and we ended at a beautiful sandy beach - site of a 1906 shipwreck.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nlrZKAJwLq4/U7m4EooNNEI/AAAAAAAAD1c/UPQ00N8vgkQ/s640/blogger-image--23727475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nlrZKAJwLq4/U7m4EooNNEI/AAAAAAAAD1c/UPQ00N8vgkQ/s400/blogger-image--23727475.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp;Besides swarms of thirsty mosquitoes, it was a nice last evening with Bill &amp; Ann before we parted ways this morning. We're on our own...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mMPHYeh64og/U7m2lqTci1I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/u5DCRWNcn00/s640/blogger-image--444182363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mMPHYeh64og/U7m2lqTci1I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/u5DCRWNcn00/s400/blogger-image--444182363.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Our ride so far today took us through the beachy resort town of Seaside where we stopped for coffee and a scone.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U0ADok2MEgk/U7m4M3tVyJI/AAAAAAAAD2M/8LgmikB_H-k/s640/blogger-image-648156172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U0ADok2MEgk/U7m4M3tVyJI/AAAAAAAAD2M/8LgmikB_H-k/s400/blogger-image-648156172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We are now having a leisurely lunch in Cannon Beach on a perfect summer day on the Oregon Coast.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mhgTIbX8kgQ/U7m0SA2w4DI/AAAAAAAAD00/ZnTMjIfPwIw/s640/blogger-image--728095907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mhgTIbX8kgQ/U7m0SA2w4DI/AAAAAAAAD00/ZnTMjIfPwIw/s400/blogger-image--728095907.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Only 20 or so miles to go this afternoon to our camping spot at Nehalem State Beach. We've decided that biking down the coast is a pretty good life.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WvVfH5ubotg/U7m4OPsCHtI/AAAAAAAAD2U/KvKOLDV_FTI/s640/blogger-image--235028087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WvVfH5ubotg/U7m4OPsCHtI/AAAAAAAAD2U/KvKOLDV_FTI/s400/blogger-image--235028087.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-81272269759709566522014-07-02T13:05:00.001-07:002014-08-09T10:09:30.601-07:00Doughnuts in Quilcene<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u2XKWeROMpM/U7Rl7XYo92I/AAAAAAAADzw/lWwwNzTy15Q/s640/blogger-image--1465581626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qz5LO32QLwA/U7Rv5wBHwHI/AAAAAAAAD0k/bagHnB6_A6E/s640/blogger-image-1456590998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qz5LO32QLwA/U7Rv5wBHwHI/AAAAAAAAD0k/bagHnB6_A6E/s400/blogger-image-1456590998.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We biked up Nora's parents' (Bill and Ann) driveway in Anacortes yesterday morning and began our 1700 mile journey down the coast. &nbsp;Nora, Mari, Bill and I rode south off of Fidalgo Island and across Deception Pass Bridge to Whidbey Island.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V3_yfGeO7cc/U7RvCRsLGiI/AAAAAAAAD0U/ufCfTLuzvO8/s640/blogger-image-403264245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V3_yfGeO7cc/U7RvCRsLGiI/AAAAAAAAD0U/ufCfTLuzvO8/s400/blogger-image-403264245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We stopped for lunch in Oak Harbor and met up with Ann who had followed us in the car. After lunch Bill took the car and Ann joined us for the remainder of the ride&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to the Port Townsend ferry. We pulled into the dock just in time to board the ferry across the Sound to PT.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-evfP95HPEEk/U7RvAg8MvpI/AAAAAAAAD0M/Mu0qTTCcCac/s640/blogger-image--70464403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-evfP95HPEEk/U7RvAg8MvpI/AAAAAAAAD0M/Mu0qTTCcCac/s640/blogger-image--70464403.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was a beautiful sunny and unusually warm day in the Pacific Northwest and the 34 miles we rode made for a great start to the trip. &nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XNSUyaOcWdE/U7Ru-uvG-mI/AAAAAAAAD0E/at0_N3EHg78/s640/blogger-image-882328351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XNSUyaOcWdE/U7Ru-uvG-mI/AAAAAAAAD0E/at0_N3EHg78/s400/blogger-image-882328351.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In Port Townsend we stayed with Nora's sister Shelly and her husband Jeff and their enthusiastic 5 year old son, Soren.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UY7LgcGrXvc/U7Rl9D7w-TI/AAAAAAAADz4/NoUbEbfUWfM/s640/blogger-image-1412926035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UY7LgcGrXvc/U7Rl9D7w-TI/AAAAAAAADz4/NoUbEbfUWfM/s400/blogger-image-1412926035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We had a wonderful dinner and visit with the Randalls and enjoyed a good night of sleep- our last in a bed for a while. This morning we set off at 8:30 after oatmeal<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and fresh berries and Shelly and Soren rode with us for the first 9 miles on the Larry Scott trail. Our destination tonight is Potlatch State Park after 64 miles of rolling treed roads. We are stopped for lunch in Quilcene where Bill met us with doughnuts and lunch.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u2XKWeROMpM/U7Rl7XYo92I/AAAAAAAADzw/lWwwNzTy15Q/s400/blogger-image--1465581626.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's cloudy and much cooler today, which is welcome relief from yesterday's sun that left us all a little fried :-(. So far I am loving the pace and routine of bike touring. Many adventures to come...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QHu2zjhANhU/U7Rl5oBs93I/AAAAAAAADzo/aWBmDorQXv4/s640/blogger-image--724684482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QHu2zjhANhU/U7Rl5oBs93I/AAAAAAAADzo/aWBmDorQXv4/s400/blogger-image--724684482.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VRBm1YCCCCc/U7RvEL-W3OI/AAAAAAAAD0c/pbMxYYnaMsk/s640/blogger-image-184035254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VRBm1YCCCCc/U7RvEL-W3OI/AAAAAAAAD0c/pbMxYYnaMsk/s400/blogger-image-184035254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1Quilcene Quilcene47.818835 -122.867994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-27226975238179607872014-06-27T22:45:00.002-07:002014-08-09T10:09:40.008-07:00PCBT 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yK9iSI9SpcM/U65TpJVezoI/AAAAAAAADzI/N6PUyY_fgGU/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yK9iSI9SpcM/U65TpJVezoI/AAAAAAAADzI/N6PUyY_fgGU/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>Twelve years ago, I bought this book in preparation for a three day ride from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. &nbsp;My riding partner got sick on the second day and we didn't finish the ride, but it was still a fun trip and ever since, I've wanted to do the whole thing. &nbsp;A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to meet someone who was also interested in the adventure of a long bike trip down the coast. &nbsp;We've spent over a year now talking about it, planning, organizing, collecting equipment and now it is time for the journey to begin. &nbsp;We're heading out to Anacortes, WA where we will meet up with the rest of our riding team. &nbsp;Mari, Nora's longtime and closest friend, who is also a bike enthusiast (she doesn't even have a car!) will be riding the whole route with us. &nbsp;We will begin on July 1st leaving from Nora's parents' driveway to head south down the coast riding between 25 and 80 miles each day, camping and staying with friends and at hostels and enjoying the views &nbsp;along the coast until we reach my parent's house in Laguna Beach on August 3. &nbsp;We will post pictures and stories along the way. &nbsp;It should be quite an adventure.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-34149191614672371662014-05-14T11:14:00.003-07:002014-05-14T11:14:54.020-07:00Bolder Boulder #8: New gear, the Blevins BB Racers and training on the track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXCxjMfSQwo/TeW61X4GT3I/AAAAAAAAAZs/0lbNF7RTrq0/s400/P5300233.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie at Bolder Boulder 2011</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vVOpLMV-wpk/U3OMa_Kdt3I/AAAAAAAADsM/2LpZ2ctsqPY/s1600/BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vVOpLMV-wpk/U3OMa_Kdt3I/AAAAAAAADsM/2LpZ2ctsqPY/s1600/BB.JPG" height="200" width="181" /></a><br />Monday May 26, Maddie, Nora and I along with the 20 other members of the Blevins BB Racers team will be lining up in Boulder to run <a href="http://www.bolderboulder.com/" target="_blank">America's #1 10K</a>. &nbsp;This will be the 8th year in a row that Maddie and I have run the race in Boulder to celebrate Memorial Day and the beginning of summer. <br /><br />Race packets arrived yesterday and I'm excited to add another Bolder Boulder t-shirt to my collection. &nbsp;The good people at Bolder Boulder this year asked me to test some gear from race sponsor <a href="http://shop.hellyhansen.com/us/?gclid=CNfGivDeq74CFYlFMgodeEEAGQ" target="_blank">Helly Hanson</a>&nbsp;and post my thoughts here. &nbsp;The gear includes a pair of shorts, a tech-T and a long sleeve tech jersey.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img height="200" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&amp;ik=390569e22d&amp;view=att&amp;th=145ce545dbd91b64&amp;attid=0.1.3&amp;disp=emb&amp;zw&amp;atsh=1" width="161" /><img height="200" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&amp;ik=390569e22d&amp;view=att&amp;th=145ce545dbd91b64&amp;attid=0.1.4&amp;disp=emb&amp;zw&amp;atsh=1" width="150" /><img height="200" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&amp;ik=390569e22d&amp;view=att&amp;th=145ce545dbd91b64&amp;attid=0.1.5&amp;disp=emb&amp;zw&amp;atsh=1" width="150" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its always fun to get some free gear, and this is all good stuff. &nbsp;The shorts are long enough that I can wear them to track practice and the tops are a nice material with a contoured fit. &nbsp;Helly Hanson is also supporting the BBRacers Club by providing jackets for the coaches. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night was the first Tuesday Night Track workout at CSU with the amazing Jane Welzel. &nbsp;We ran 6 x 800 meters with a 400 recovery after each. &nbsp;We all started the first one together to find runners of similar pace. &nbsp;I only made it on to the track for the tail end of Jane's instructions, so I ran the first 800 with no warm-up. &nbsp;It was rough and I slogged through a 3:09. I teamed up with Dennis and Mike and we groaned at the prospect of running 5 more. &nbsp;We did it though coming through at 3:09, 3:13, 3:05, 3:07 and then Mike asked me to make the call on #6. &nbsp;I said that I'd love to think we could go sub 3:00, but I didn't think I had that in me. &nbsp;"How about another 3:05? . . . Let's try to get as close to 3 minutes as possible." &nbsp;Mike was in and took off. &nbsp;We went out hard and I started to fade on the back stretch of the second. &nbsp;Mike pulled out in to lane 2 and encouraged me forward. &nbsp;I pushed around the final turn and we finished in 2:57. &nbsp;Nothing stellar, but definitely the fastest (only) 800 I've run in the past year. &nbsp;It was a good night at the track- great to see and catch up with some friends and good to be humbled a bit by my current fitness level. &nbsp;Lots of work to do to get back to true racing fitness, &nbsp;but I am on the right track.</div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-81967560866960113152014-03-19T10:42:00.001-07:002014-03-22T13:54:11.465-07:00March Mileage Madness #4 is happening Sunday!We're on for Sunday and it looks like the weather and trail conditions are on our side. &nbsp;We'll have starts at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 depending on your pace and distance. &nbsp;Plan to be back at the house for BBQ/potluck around 1:00 pm. &nbsp;There might be a few course markings out there, but check out the route descriptions and map (<a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-mileage-madness.html" target="_blank">23 mile map</a> and <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-23-mile-course.html" target="_blank">description</a>, <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">36 mile map and description</a>) and print and bring them with you if you're not familiar with the trails. &nbsp;There are a couple places to fill water at trail heads and park entrances, but there will be no aid stations, so carry what you'll need. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ2QMwn5XGA/UynWtZq4VjI/AAAAAAAADrY/XV-ppezjKT4/s1600/iPhone+709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ2QMwn5XGA/UynWtZq4VjI/AAAAAAAADrY/XV-ppezjKT4/s1600/iPhone+709.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><br />Bring whatever you like for the post run festivities- food, drinks, something to BBQ. &nbsp;. &nbsp;. We'll fire up the BBQ around 1:00 and hang out and eat and drink and enjoy the afternoon until about 4:00.<br /><br />Send me an <a href="mailto:halexmay@aol.com" target="_blank">email</a> if you have questions or leave a comment below. &nbsp;Feel free to leave a comment with your start time and planned distance too. <br /><br /><a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/search/label/March%20Madness" target="_blank">Lots of other pictures and stuff here</a>.<br /><br />See you Sunday!Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-82086365299201628492014-03-10T09:49:00.001-07:002014-03-12T12:24:27.583-07:00March Mileage Madness is on! **Date Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kraocQjWTbk/Ux3qgQz5rcI/AAAAAAAADrE/DBg_vWcnCSM/s1600/res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kraocQjWTbk/Ux3qgQz5rcI/AAAAAAAADrE/DBg_vWcnCSM/s1600/res.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />The 4th annual MMM run around the reservoir will be happening on Sunday March 23. &nbsp;Spring is coming and it is time to start putting in some longer training miles. &nbsp;Look here and here for <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-mileage-madness.html" target="_blank">event info</a>, <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">course descriptions</a> and <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">stories</a> and <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">pictures</a> from <a href="http://pineridgerunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-runs-updates-and-course.html" target="_blank">past years</a>, and <a href="http://csuramfan.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-again.html" target="_blank">some</a> <a href="http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-madness.html" target="_blank">reports</a> <a href="http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-madness.html" target="_blank">from</a> <a href="http://irunmountains.blogspot.com/2012/03/week-ending-march-18.html" target="_blank">others</a>.<br />Check back for more details soon.<br /><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-18353725168884005912014-02-20T13:58:00.001-08:002014-03-25T12:02:54.859-07:00The Hesitating Beauties take the Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-S9mf3md3s/UwLksXXQdGI/AAAAAAAADpQ/eMX5ON_SbwQ/s1600/Mount+Taylor,+NM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-S9mf3md3s/UwLksXXQdGI/AAAAAAAADpQ/eMX5ON_SbwQ/s1600/Mount+Taylor,+NM.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I was very excited (and relieved) after watching some video of the ski portion of the Quad when Nora suggested that we compete as a team in the Pairs Division. &nbsp;I could bike and run and she would ski and snowshoe. &nbsp;The perfect solution and so we became the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8UaJTk8Ybw" target="_blank">Hesitating Beauties</a> and we were on our way to a one of a kind event in Grants, New Mexico. <br />The <a href="http://www.mttaylorquad.org/" target="_blank">Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon</a> consists of 13 miles of uphill road biking, 5 miles of running up a dirt road, 2 miles of uphill cross country/back-country skiing and a 1 mile snowshoe to the top of 11,301 foot Mt. Taylor and then . . . you do it all again in reverse. &nbsp;The pairs and teams took off an hour after the solo competitors and we were a smaller group. &nbsp;It had been a while since I'd competed in a bike race and I hadn't even been on my road bike in months, so I decided to be conservative at the start. &nbsp;The first couple mile took us through the town of Grants and out on to the road leading up Mt. Taylor. &nbsp;The top 15-20 riders rode as a pack which I guess was okay. &nbsp;I was unsure of the etiquette in this race recalling my triathlon days where drafting on the bike was strictly forbidden. &nbsp;A few of us in the pack talked about this and it seemed no one was really sure so we just rode on taking turns pulling up front.&nbsp; Once we hit the hill about 4 miles in, the pack started to split up and I was surprised for a while to find myself out front. As the climb steepened and my unconditioned legs tired, I got reeled in and passed (but not dropped) by a few riders. The climb was tough, but the scenery was nice, the sun was warm and it felt good to be out on the bike and hanging in with the lead group. The last 3 miles were pretty steep and I started to look forward to arriving at the transition and getting off the bike to run. I was the 5th rider in from the team/pairs start, quickly found my running shoes, shed my helmet and gloves, grabbed a cup of water and chuck of banana and headed up the road.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJHJg8ivqSE/UwZCD_tPbTI/AAAAAAAADpg/nM9MvkJSUk0/s1600/IMG_6008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJHJg8ivqSE/UwZCD_tPbTI/AAAAAAAADpg/nM9MvkJSUk0/s1600/IMG_6008.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My legs were heavy for the first couple miles, but I loosened up and caught&nbsp;three of the four teams/pairs that had started ahead of me. The run continued up a wide dirt road that turned in to mud, snow and ice in the last two miles. I ran in to the run/ski transition where Nora was waiting and quickly snapped into her skis and headed out on to an icier, steeper and more extreme ski course than anyone was expecting.&nbsp; ﻿</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3aEV5bkarg/UwZCMphpXuI/AAAAAAAADpw/IfgTLGB4yL4/s1600/MK3_8775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3aEV5bkarg/UwZCMphpXuI/AAAAAAAADpw/IfgTLGB4yL4/s1600/MK3_8775.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seLsf_ZZ5f4/UwZCO08dtLI/AAAAAAAADp4/2zeiVlGnykE/s1600/MK3_8858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seLsf_ZZ5f4/UwZCO08dtLI/AAAAAAAADp4/2zeiVlGnykE/s1600/MK3_8858.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a>Nora of course took it on like the champion skiier that she is, smiling the whole way. . .&nbsp; with maybe a couple of falls and some cursing here and there.&nbsp; After successfully navigating the ski course up, Nora strapped on her snow shoes and raced the last mile to the 11,301 foot summit of Mt. Taylor where she took a moment to enjoy the view before turning around and flying back down the slope to clip back in to her skis.&nbsp; Downhill skiing is where Nora truely excels and after the race, she modestly shared that she passed 23 other skiers on the downhill.&nbsp; When she got back to the ski/run transition, I was ready and waiting and took off to run the 5 miles back to my bike.&nbsp; I was looking forwad to the long down hill bike ride where I could push a big gear, tuck in and fly back to the finish, but I was instead hit with some fierce afternoon headwinds that I fought for most of the 13 miles back down to Grants.&nbsp; <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hftahPB2URs/UwZCKvKKKtI/AAAAAAAADpo/cmKg7B909A0/s1600/IMG_6260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hftahPB2URs/UwZCKvKKKtI/AAAAAAAADpo/cmKg7B909A0/s1600/IMG_6260.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br />I rolled in to the finish for a combined time of 5 hours 28 minutes which seemed pretty respectable.&nbsp; I found <a href="http://frontrangerambler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike</a> and Jessica in the beer tent and enjoyed a Santa Fe brewing State Pen Porter while I waited for Nora to get shuttled back to the finish.&nbsp; When Nora arrived, we watched the finish line for Chris and <a href="http://ridgerunner-stephanie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Steph</a> (the instigator of this whole thing) who showed up all smiles after a long day on the race course.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkEKchVhFvQ/UwZgDH_oNII/AAAAAAAADqc/J0sQblioIl8/s1600/get-attachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkEKchVhFvQ/UwZgDH_oNII/AAAAAAAADqc/J0sQblioIl8/s1600/get-attachment.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><br />Nora and I&nbsp;checked the results and found that we placed<a href="http://www.ccrtiming.com/events-results/2014-results/mt-taylor.htm#pairs awards" target="_blank"> 3rd overall in the pairs division</a>.&nbsp; We stuck around for the awards and proudly collected our yellow race caps and glass trophies.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8EIbeQH_zM/UwJiIxxeZgI/AAAAAAAADo0/VXmSoO7u9OI/s1600/Quadrathlon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8EIbeQH_zM/UwJiIxxeZgI/AAAAAAAADo0/VXmSoO7u9OI/s1600/Quadrathlon.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div><br />We left Grants victorious and drove two hours to Santa Fe where we showered and&nbsp;enjoyed a&nbsp;delicious Valentine's + 1 dinner at the Blue Corn Cafe.&nbsp; It was a super fun weekend exploring a new place, competeing in a unique event and hanging out with some good friends.&nbsp; <br /><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-66097037217237380802014-02-02T14:37:00.001-08:002014-02-02T14:44:53.990-08:00Winter Running, Snowshoeing, Skiing, and some changes to the plansI got out last weekend for my first races of the year, first races since Thanksgiving actually, and now my legs are very tired.&nbsp; I decided on Friday to drop from the 30K snowshoe to the 11.4 mile race which is an out and back on the Sourdough trail just above Nederland.&nbsp; I have done the 30K race three times, but this year I really didn't feel that I had the fitness. I drove up to Nederland on Saturday morning with <a href="http://jessiewilburn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jessie</a>, who was going out for her first snoeshoe race (and her second time out in snowshoes).&nbsp; When we got to the trailhead at 8:30, it was already sunny and warm and only a little breezy.&nbsp; Snow condidtions on the trail looked pretty good- packed down and pretty well covered.&nbsp; I took off at a comfortable and relaxed pace in the back 1/3 of the pack.&nbsp; I slowly moved my way up keeping the pace very easy.&nbsp; It was a really beautiful day out on the trails and I was remined of how much I enjoy snowshoeing.&nbsp; I felt better than I expected to, so as I got close to the turn around at mile 5.7, I decided to count the runners coming back to see what place I was in.&nbsp; #1 was a good mile ahead of me, then the 2nd, 3rd and 4th runners came along.&nbsp; #5 was a little further back, probably only a quarter mile ahead and then I hit the turn around in 6th place in 1:20.&nbsp; I ate a couple fig newtons and filled my water.&nbsp; The guy behind me that I had passed a little ways back came in to the turn around right after me, and we left at the same time to head back- mostly downhill to the finish.&nbsp; I tried to stay in the moment running back and just enjoy the time on the trail.&nbsp; I tend to spend&nbsp;a lot of time (and mental energy) late in a race or long run counting down the distance to the finish.&nbsp; Today I decided on really trying to just enjoy each moment of the run instead of only thinking about how long it would be before I was done.&nbsp; I did pretty well with this for a while and vowed to keep running (and living) in the moment as a ongoing goal.&nbsp; I took a couple of falls on the way back.&nbsp; Once I caught my front crampon on a root and later the front of my snow show in a deep rut of snow.&nbsp; Both times I was able to get back up pretty quickly with no damage done besides another tear in my tights.&nbsp; The forgivingness of snowy trails is another reason I like snowshoeing.&nbsp; In the final 3/4 mile, I heard another runner closing in behind me and then I saw&nbsp;the guy that had left the turn around with me on the switchback just above.&nbsp; I was a little frustrated to be getting based in the final mile, but wasn't too worried about it.&nbsp; I&nbsp;kept running,&nbsp;but&nbsp;moved to the side of the trail to let him pass, but he didn't.&nbsp; The trail flattened out and opened up and I picked up my pace and opened up a the gap behind me.&nbsp; With less than a 1/4 mile to go, I saw the 5th place runner ahead (and apparently having some difficulty with a snowshoe, but still having a good time).&nbsp; I passed him and ran on to the finish in 2 and 1/2 hours for 5th place.&nbsp; I was awarded with a pair of socks from the raffle (I can always use more socks).&nbsp; I changed in to dry clothes then hiked back up the trail a bit to run in with Jessie.&nbsp; I got back home with time to enjoy the last bit of a beautiful warm January day and take an easy bike ride round Fort Collins.<br />Sunday it was back in to the mountains for the Frost Giant double in Estes Park. &nbsp;This was my 4th consecutive trip to Estes in January to run a 5K and a 10K in quick succession. &nbsp;My legs were tired from snowshoeing, but it was another beautiful warm day and there was a big Fort Colling crew in attendance. &nbsp;I was considerably slower than last year in both races, but I had a good time and felt like maybe all this running and racing would be a good start to getting back in shape. <br />I decided not to go up to the Snowys this weekend for another snowshoe race and stayed in Fort Collins instead for some good XC skiing around Pineridge with Nora and Shadow.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwiy8Mzk42w/Uu7Jq470R2I/AAAAAAAADoI/zvFcGLLojT0/s1600/pineride+ski2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwiy8Mzk42w/Uu7Jq470R2I/AAAAAAAADoI/zvFcGLLojT0/s1600/pineride+ski2.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4GlJietpCs/Uu7G2Z_n04I/AAAAAAAADnY/gqsYNhH4cuQ/s1600/pineride+ski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4GlJietpCs/Uu7G2Z_n04I/AAAAAAAADnY/gqsYNhH4cuQ/s1600/pineride+ski.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm starting to feel a lot better on the skis although I still have a long way to go. &nbsp;When I realized just how far last week, Nora and I decided to do the Winter Quadrathlon as a team instead. &nbsp;I will bike and run and Nora will ski and snowshoe. &nbsp;It will be a lot of fun to compete as a team.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today Nora and I joined the FCRC at Fossil Creek Park for the 5K Tortoise and Hare Race. &nbsp;It was 0 degrees at the start and pretty icy on the course, but many of our friends were there enjoying the morning and there were bagels and coffee after.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTlF_QPkq1M/Uu7H_RrL2SI/AAAAAAAADns/T0FstBZk3L0/s1600/T&amp;H+2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTlF_QPkq1M/Uu7H_RrL2SI/AAAAAAAADns/T0FstBZk3L0/s1600/T&amp;H+2-2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking further in to the future, Nora, Mari and I have put together the plans for our day by day route for the bike tour in July. &nbsp;We'll average around 50 miles/day, do a lot of camping in beautiful places on the coast, stay with friends, and enjoy the journey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-36704765575450896452014-01-06T09:01:00.001-08:002014-01-06T09:01:43.618-08:00A New Year2014 -- Here we go.<br /><br />Here's a little glimpse in to what I have in store this year:<br /><br /><ul><li><strong>Snowshoe racing</strong> - in less than three weeks, I'll be strapping on (<a href="http://www.hawaiianshirtray.com/proper-gear/racing-snowshoe-modification-direct-mounting/" target="_blank">or lacing up</a>) my snowshoes for&nbsp; the&nbsp;30K <a href="http://sourdoughsnowshoerac.wix.com/sourdough-snowshoe-race" target="_blank">Sourdough Snowshoe Race</a> in Nederland and then again a week later for the&nbsp;10K <a href="http://www.journeymanadv.com/events/snowy-range-snowshoe-races" target="_blank">Snowy Mountain Range Snowshoe Race</a>&nbsp;in Wyoming.&nbsp; Snowshoe racing is a great off season challenge and a fun way to stay fit in the cold snowy days of winter.&nbsp; I'm always hopeful that some snowshoeing fitness will carry over to running and racing in the spring.&nbsp; </li></ul><br /><ul><li><strong>Winter Quadrathlon - </strong>I was looking for a new challenge for 2014 so when <a href="http://ridgerunner-stephanie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Steph</a>&nbsp;said she was doing this race and Chris and <a href="http://frontrangerambler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike</a>, I thought&nbsp;why not?&nbsp; The <a href="http://www.mttaylorquad.org/overview/" target="_blank">Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon</a> is a 13 mile bike ride, 5 mile run, 3 mile cross country ski and 1 mile snowshoe to the top of 11,301 foot Mt. Taylor in Grants, New Mexico and then all the same in reverse back down.&nbsp; I'm a little nervous about the skiing part since I've only been out on the skis a couple times and I don't really know how to go down hill, but I have an exellent ski insturctor and I'm not too proud to ski pizza style all the way down.</li></ul><br /><ul><li><strong>Bike tour of the Pacific Coast - </strong>This summer, Nora and I will be teaming up with Mari to ride Highway 1 from the <a href="http://testermantravels.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Testerman</a> house in Anacortes, WA to my mom's house in Laguna Beach, CA.&nbsp; We're planning to take 4 or 5 weeks to complete this 1700 mile ride, camping and staying with friends along the way.&nbsp; This has been a longtime dream for all of us.&nbsp; It is going to be amazing.</li></ul><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.theknot.com/wedding/Nora-and-Alex" target="_blank"><strong>Wedding!!!</strong></a>&nbsp;- Yep on August 30, Nora and I are tying the knot and it is going to be quite a party.&nbsp; I am so thankful to have met such an amazing person to spend the rest of my life with.&nbsp; The plans for the wedding are coming together and we are really excited for the big day.&nbsp;</li></ul><br />2014 will be an amazing year, full of adventures and new beginings and I'm sure there will be surprises along the way.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to all of it and I'm thanful for the wonderful people that I will get to share it with.&nbsp; Here we go.<br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-14437712116647964102013-11-09T21:52:00.002-08:002013-11-09T21:55:53.777-08:00WRIAD<b>Conversation on a run - October &nbsp;22, 2013:</b><br /><br />Me: With no races on the schedule for the fall, I was thinking it would be fun to go out for some long run or hike or something. &nbsp;. &nbsp;. maybe somewhere warm.<br /><br /><a href="http://frontrangerambler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike</a>: Yeah, me too. &nbsp;How 'bout the the White Rim Trail (103 miles) in Canyonlands National Park outside of Moab on mountain bikes . . . in a day?<br /><br />Me: Uhhh, I haven't been riding my mountain bike at all and I'm kind of out of shape, but that sounds like fun. &nbsp;Why not?<br /><br /><b>10 days later:</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KnQuMCru7OE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0' /></div><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-7812406429489968192013-07-23T16:01:00.000-07:002013-07-23T21:14:13.508-07:00What's Next?It's been almost a month now since my 91 seconds after the cut-off finish at the Western States 100. &nbsp;I've rested, recovered and &nbsp;had plenty of time to think about what happened out there on the trail between Squaw Valley and Auburn. &nbsp;There are still some unresolved questions, the biggest is, "Will I put my name back in the lottery and try to go back out to California for another shot at the buckle?" &nbsp;All I can say for now is, "We'll see." &nbsp;In the meantime there are some more events on the calendar. &nbsp;Next week, I'm heading to the great Northwest with Nora to visit the <a href="http://testermantravels.blogspot.com/">Testermans</a>&nbsp;and see where Nora grew up. &nbsp;It is going to be a fun trip with visits to Nora's family and friends, sailing, rowing, visiting Seattle's famous sites and the flagship REI store, of course, an overnight on Guemes Island, kayaking in Port Townsend with the <a href="http://randallroost.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Randalls</a>, a trip to Portland to visit my friends Ed and Vickie and their new twin girls, Sky and Sylvia and Nora's sister Jill - looking forward to the famous food trucks. &nbsp;And of course... a trail race. &nbsp;The day after we arrive, we are going out to Bellingham, WA for the <a href="http://www.bellinghamtrail.com/p/chuckanut-mountain-12k30k.html">Chuckanut Mountain 30K</a>. &nbsp;Jill, best friend Mari and I are all registered for this final race of the Bellingham Trail Running Series. &nbsp;Nora and I thought it would be fun to do a trail race during our trip when we planned it back in March. &nbsp;Nora's racing plans changed to allow time to recover from a recent surgery and I didn't really count on how little running I would feel like doing after spending more than 30 hours on the Western States course. &nbsp;I have run maybe 5 times in the 3 1/2 weeks since WS and all my runs have been less than 6 miles. &nbsp;Well, I'm not really that worried about it. &nbsp;It is always fun to run in beautiful new places and the cut-off time is generous . . . &nbsp;I haven't been doing much running lately, but I have gotten out on my road bike a lot more than I have in the past several years. &nbsp;On the last day of school, after talking with a colleague, Katy Williams, over several beers about the <a href="http://www.prochallengeexperience.com/?events=108-mile">Fort Collins ProChallenge Experience 108 mile Bike Ride</a>, I signed up. &nbsp;Why not? &nbsp;I figured it would be a good idea to have something to train for after WS, Katy said she and some friends were doing it and it sounded like fun. &nbsp;That ride, which is farther than I've ever ridden and includes some serious climbing and 30 miles of dirt roads in the mountains is now 18 days away. &nbsp;I have gotten out on a few rides in the last couple weeks. &nbsp;I did the 46 mile Rist Canyon/Buckhon loop on Sunday and this morning I rode a 62 mile loop through Masonville, past Carter Lake and back up through Loveland around Boyd Lake. &nbsp;With the trip to Washington, I won't get much more riding in, but I think/hope it should go okay. &nbsp;It will be tough, but I enjoy a challenge. &nbsp;I do plan to get back to running this fall, and what better race to get back to it with than the trail race that is nearest and dearest to my heart, <a href="http://www.blueskymarathon.com/">The Blue Sky Marathon</a>. &nbsp;This is the race that some Fort Collins Trail Running friends and I dreamed up and started 5 years ago and it is now a staple on many Front Range trail runner calendars. &nbsp;For the past 5 years, I have captained the Indian Summer North Aid Station and loved it, but this year I am going to hand that task over the the very capable hands of my daughter Maddie (who has also worked this aid station every year for the past 5 years) and my partner Nora who volunteered with me last year. &nbsp;Race management has been handed over to the <a href="http://gnarrunners.com/">Gnar Runners</a>&nbsp;(Pete and Nick) who I am sure will continue to make Blue Sky (Along with the Quad Rock 25 and 50 and the new Black Squirrel Half)&nbsp;the best trail running events in Colorado, or maybe the whole world even. &nbsp;Pete and Nick graciously offered me a spot to run Blue Sky this year and I am honored to take it. &nbsp;This event I am going to train for and I look forward to putting in an honest effort at running a race that I will be proud of. &nbsp;After that . . . I don't know. &nbsp;Yeah, I think I'll want to run another 100 next year. &nbsp;I really would like to figure out how to run a good 100 mile race and the only way I can do that is to keep trying. &nbsp;There's one <a href="http://www.cascadecrest100.com/">out in Washington</a> that looks pretty good and so many others that would be fun to travel to. &nbsp;I'll let you know when I figure it out. &nbsp;Summer is not over yet, and there is always more running to do.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJmrPTJWPLY/Ue8Lx8o5mHI/AAAAAAAADj4/4bWeOAFSQ8E/s1600/Bike+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJmrPTJWPLY/Ue8Lx8o5mHI/AAAAAAAADj4/4bWeOAFSQ8E/s400/Bike+ride.jpg" width="347" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 7 Training ride with Mike, Nora, Jessica Diana and Lara &nbsp; Photo by Mike</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-85244438246940074172013-07-22T22:21:00.003-07:002013-07-22T22:21:50.047-07:00My Western States Story on Podcast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYWQVO1x2nw/Ue4RpitOI5I/AAAAAAAADjA/CJ2MRNl5kgY/s1600/Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYWQVO1x2nw/Ue4RpitOI5I/AAAAAAAADjA/CJ2MRNl5kgY/s400/Start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 0.1 Feeling Good &nbsp;photo by&nbsp;<span class="fcg" style="color: #89919c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span class="fwb" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;;&quot;}" style="font-weight: bold;"><a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_90" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=12812813&amp;extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22timeline%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/alwesir?hc_location=timeline" id="js_91" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer;">Brian Stefanović</a></span></span><span class="fcg" style="color: #89919c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: black;">A couple days after the race, I got a call from Gary David of Elevation Trail saying he had heard about my after the cut-off finish on the track and wondered if I'd be interested in talking to him about it. &nbsp;I said "sure" and we had a conversation via Skype a few days later and he posted as an Elevation Trail Podcast. &nbsp;Here it is: &nbsp;</span><a href="http://elevationtrail.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/seconds-count-a-finish-or-not/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://elevationtrail.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/seconds-count-a-finish-or-not/</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbcVVMdYda8/Ue4RpqUcIxI/AAAAAAAADjE/sytTiqhcUqw/s1600/Finish-+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbcVVMdYda8/Ue4RpqUcIxI/AAAAAAAADjE/sytTiqhcUqw/s400/Finish-+Cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSv9WehB5Mc/Ue4RruXBMRI/AAAAAAAADjU/T_ha--IzVOg/s1600/Finish+Line+with+Maddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSv9WehB5Mc/Ue4RruXBMRI/AAAAAAAADjU/T_ha--IzVOg/s400/Finish+Line+with+Maddie.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-30462043315864401502013-06-30T11:30:00.000-07:002013-07-02T11:18:26.932-07:00Into the finish line... Just a tad lateAlex dug deep (and I mean deep) and had an amazing finish &nbsp;into Auburn with a sprint in from Robie Point that didn't seem possible after 100 miles on his feet, but Cat, who never ceases to amaze me with her tenacity and endless dedication to bringing Alex home, along with a few amazing random volunteers, kept him focused. And we picked up Maddie along the way, so she got to run around the track like she's been wanting to do for the past 4 years when she watched Nick's finish with Alistair. Unfortunately, we were a bit late and even with the enthusiastic cheers of the stadium crowd and a group effort, he crossed the finish line in 30:01:31 (give or take a few seconds) and we couldn't be prouder.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-goU6fPxiWDU/UdCMlJ_UtmI/AAAAAAAADhQ/SpSsvi_bUGg/s640/blogger-image--1873294033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-goU6fPxiWDU/UdCMlJ_UtmI/AAAAAAAADhQ/SpSsvi_bUGg/s640/blogger-image--1873294033.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-goU6fPxiWDU/UdCMlJ_UtmI/AAAAAAAADhQ/SpSsvi_bUGg/s640/blogger-image--1873294033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C3jY1Z7zgCY/UdCMfehuyCI/AAAAAAAADhI/d68ffsgxiPw/s640/blogger-image-1584773710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C3jY1Z7zgCY/UdCMfehuyCI/AAAAAAAADhI/d68ffsgxiPw/s400/blogger-image-1584773710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yrxDjoPxbIo/UdCMZtGcSeI/AAAAAAAADg8/FQpWAo3bjsA/s640/blogger-image--1904266357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yrxDjoPxbIo/UdCMZtGcSeI/AAAAAAAADg8/FQpWAo3bjsA/s640/blogger-image--1904266357.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-79968491705971747642013-06-30T09:30:00.000-07:002013-07-02T11:18:10.114-07:00Final stretch...Alex &amp; Cat made it through the Hwy 49 aid station 2 min before the cutoff of 9:20. Emotional time! We are heading to meet him at the high school/race finish; needs an 11am finish, so here we go!!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for all of your thoughts and support from afar...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hQ2Wqhi4G9A/UdCM2241BQI/AAAAAAAADho/hKGi0TXSQ1M/s640/blogger-image-793971268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hQ2Wqhi4G9A/UdCM2241BQI/AAAAAAAADho/hKGi0TXSQ1M/s400/blogger-image-793971268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-3679790954375139862013-06-30T04:30:00.000-07:002013-07-02T11:17:52.524-07:00Rucky Chucky river crossingWe met Alex &amp; Cat down at the river crossing at 4:15am and marched up the hill to Green Gate together. Got in right at 30-hour pace time on the clock and sent them off into the final 20 miles with lots of positive vibes. Here's to a strong finish!<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z3tkv4ly8Hc/UdCMxu1lpqI/AAAAAAAADhg/7UWuQje5K30/s640/blogger-image-1879520077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z3tkv4ly8Hc/UdCMxu1lpqI/AAAAAAAADhg/7UWuQje5K30/s400/blogger-image-1879520077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-71Q-L1bFRVU/UdApjv3KJ3I/AAAAAAAADgo/rrZgDYTKo1w/s640/blogger-image--70083799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-71Q-L1bFRVU/UdApjv3KJ3I/AAAAAAAADgo/rrZgDYTKo1w/s400/blogger-image--70083799.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0iKtpEiWrk4/UdCMs4xkFFI/AAAAAAAADhY/9vFVRuDkBIs/s640/blogger-image-782301676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0iKtpEiWrk4/UdCMs4xkFFI/AAAAAAAADhY/9vFVRuDkBIs/s640/blogger-image-782301676.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164103598331053465.post-75741376465306394992013-06-29T22:26:00.001-07:002013-07-02T11:17:36.236-07:00Foresthill reunion with crewAfter a full day of hanging out at Foresthill (mile 62), Cat, my mom, and I met Alex at the Bath Rd aid station and walked him up a tree-covered hill onto a soft dirt path into the Foresthill aid station - greeted partway by cheerful Maddie and Bill. Made it into the aid station @9pm and after a full pit stop, complete with a magical cooling towel, pineapple juice, clean, dry socks, a full leg massage by Dr Bill (it's always a good idea to travel with 2 veterinarians!), and lots of hugs and well wishes, we sent him off with his faithful friend and supportive (also notoriously tough) pacer Cat into the darkness and down to the Rucky Chucky river crossing. 75 degrees at 9:25pm. Still quite balmy, but a welcome reprieve from the high temp of 102 today. Alex said the bottom of the valley felt like a sauna, so guess we can't complain. My dad and I are off to Green Gate and hoping to walk them up from the river in pre-dawn. Will update again then... Please keep Alex in your thoughts - we are going to get him on that track by the 30-hour cutoff.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--JSoBnbYlrQ/Uc_BkweW0GI/AAAAAAAADgY/g2nQE79jLno/s640/blogger-image-357776261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--JSoBnbYlrQ/Uc_BkweW0GI/AAAAAAAADgY/g2nQE79jLno/s400/blogger-image-357776261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Maddie cooling off...</div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12214044620756866234noreply@blogger.com1